Best way to attack North Korea

That sounds like a good strategy, only my concern would be that the North Korean forces could have a standing order to attack in the event of widespread communication failure.

Although the EMF could possibly also disable the firing/launch systems of their weapons, as well, couldn't it? I have a basic understanding of what an EMF does, but I admit I don't know how extensive the effects would be.

Of course, I am vehemently opposed to going to war at all without an official declaration from Congress.

If NK (or rather lunatic Kim and his crazy government) is a genuine security threat to the region (as opposed to a bit of testosterone-induced bluster with the odd nuke test and missile launch), then perhaps the nations in that region should deal with it. Perhaps they should organize their own coalition of the willing, issue a "disarm or else" ultimatum, and go to war if as a last resort. I say the US should stay out of it this time around. We're already in two endless, major wars against countries on the far side of the globe, neither of which were a proven threat to US national security, and which have cost our tanking economy $1 trillion so far. We can't afford a 3rd simultaneous war, especially if it spreads and drags other countries in (no names). We've also proven ourselves a lousy, godawful global policeman for the last few decades... so lets stop digging that hole any deeper.

If we lay off this time around, maybe we may gain a little bit of respect and regain some friendships (perhaps even make some, yikes what a concept), after the last 8 years debacle. But maybe we're so addicted to conflict that the powers-that-be won't be able to resist another fight.

Of course that makes absolutely no sense at all.

The US has been heavily involved in that region since we entered WWII. Since the end of the Korean war the US has had troops in Korea and Japan and been negotiating with come up with a solution. But then this time around we tell our allies that we're not going to participate. We tell North Korea that "sure we a have a standing army outside your door but go talk to the Chinese, Koreans and Japanese" We're going to be isolationists this time around. And then when that doesn't work and we want to help again what reaction do you think we'll get?

We're told be multilateral until Bush does that and then we should be unilateral but now it's isolationist.

Too bad all the ERW weapons have left our inventory. And it is EMP not EMF. A high altitude nuclear weapon to generate EMP that would affect NK would also affect SK and China and even a "low" altitude EMP attack (30mi) has a 500 mi radius.

Given that EMP attacks (in the northern hemisphere anyway) work toward the south the C4I disruption would largely be on OUR troops. Not the NK ones. Even if the peak pulse area was centered on the NK forces. They aren't what you call a highly equipped, modern force with BFT, UAVs and scads of computers scattered in all of their equipment.

If anything the NK would like to start with a EMP attack if they didn't think we'd nuke them into the stone age in response. Or that China wouldn't come down on them like a ton of bricks. But it sure would screw us up a lot. A heck of a lot more than them.

And we don't have the troops required to attack from the south anyway given that the bulk of our forces are already committed to the middle east and would take a freaking long time to get to NK with heavy equipment.

The "best" way to attack NK is politically. Through China. Jeez.

The next best is via continued economic sanctions. They're obviously working and if the US could get China on board, it would certainly discourage NK's nuclear ambitions.

Although there are interesting alternatives...

They are. By defensive treaty with the US or by being the NK supporter (China).


Not possible for anyone but China.


Yes, we will make new friends by leaving our current friends (SK and Japan) out to dry.

The current course is the correct one. Defend our allies and put pressure on NK politically to stop being a pain in the ass.

We have one powerful chip that neither the US or China is willing to use yet. Taiwan. China knows that we'll trade peaceful unification of Taiwan for them dealing with NK. But politically and socially the island isn't quite ready for peaceful unification and forced unification is just bad for everyone involved.

So China lets NK become even more of a pain in the ass to make this payout seem all the more worthwhile. But don't believe for a second that they wouldn't trade NK for SK as a partner in a heartbeat. Heck if Korea was unified under SK it would be better for China given that we'd have a lot less pretext to be in Asia anymore and they'd have a country that going to be nice to them if they helped at a peaceful unification.

Kim Jong Il isn't stupid either. He knows that eventually China will throw him under the bus despite his current amusement factor for Beijing. But he knows he's screwed because the only way to change that equation is to modernize his economy and ideology more toward what China has become. Except he can't and won't.

Obama has played this fairly well so far I think. Not overreacting. No concessions. Mild military response (ooh, we raised the alert level). He's treating Il as a kid throwing a tantrum and letting Beijing know that we don't intend to jump up and down for their entertainment.

WHO'S THE REAL TERRORIST?

This and the Africa thread. Sheesh, talk about racism!

How are they "obviously working"? Are you being sarcastic?

Under no circumstances should the US get involved militarily with North Korea, barring a desperate attack on the US itself. China will cool their jets soon enough.

I'm inclined to agree. Look where these concepts of "preemptive war" and policing the world have brought us. The Founders were vehemently against us getting entangled in the affairs of other nations. I feel we should only go to war if we are attacked directly, and even then, only by an official declaration from congress.

You wanted Africa to become a hell hole. Re- read what you wrote!

This is what you wrote-

"That is why I think we need to invade - those countries are not likely to combine unless we shred the fabric of their society, and turn them into a mad max style hellscape. All of Africa needs to be reduced to rubble, and a new society with a new identity needs to form from the ashes."

http://forums.appleinsider.com/showt...ghlight=Africa

I may not agree with his statement, but I don't see how it's racist.

They haven't attacked us.

Just callous?

And by the way those countries are uniting already without being invaded and blown to smithereens. SHEESH!!!

Kim Jong Il is a kook, but he doesn't have a death wish (AFAIK). He pushes out these threats via his military mouthpieces regularly. Just because he's fired off some missles and tested some nukes does not mean there is an imminent attack on another country planned. They are all show.

The fired missiles, but they didn't strike Japan. If and when they foolishly attack a neighboring country (S. Korea or Japan), they will be dealt with severely by either of those countries or China. Guaranteed.

They haven't attacked us militarily.

Have you considered they might be trying to provoke the U.S. or other nations into preemptive strikes? Have you considered that countries like Iran or even Russia might be waiting for us to make the first move to use that as justification to move forward with their own military agendas?

It's time for us to get out of these "entangling alliances" that have gotten us into these messes ever since WWII.

Cost less?!!

Africa is uniting, no doubt you would want to turn that continent into a bloodbath anyway, as I doubt whether you would find their level of integration quick enough for you.

ECOWAS http://www.ecowas.int/ They have monetary union

There are other countries wanting to unite too.

I suggest you do some of your own research, considering how dangerous you think they are.

Trade. There's The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) which include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela. Brazilian President Inacio Luca da Silva said they (UNASUR) would seek a common currency and central bank, aimed at boosting economic and political integration in the region.
~established 2008

http://forums.appleinsider.com/showthread.php?t=97467

Oh I never said I'm not worried.

We are already in a worldwide recession, we've got a military presence all across the world, our resources are already spread thin and we're already spending billions on an illegal, immoral war. A "preemptive strike" on NK is not going to change that. Indeed, it will probably serve to provoke our enemies elsewhere and throw us into a larger scale conflict.

Going to war with another nation because we think they might possibly do something to us or another country we like is not a good enough reason. Then WE become the aggressors. WE become the empire builders. WE become the intimidators. WE become the instigators.

NK has not attacked anyone. They've fired some missiles and spewed a bunch of propaganda and rhetoric.

Granted, none of us really knows the full details of the situation or what their true intentions are.

But in places where the rule of law exists, beating someone up because he calls you names, makes intimidating gestures, and throws rocks in a nearby pond will probably get you in more trouble than him.

I can't help but think any assertion to the effect of "the ends justify the means" would give someone pause.

Is that an accurate assessment of your position on this?

I guess you're willing to bet other peoples' lives on that.

You'd still get in trouble for beating him up. You didn't do it in self denfense and you had no right to do it. You'd be considered a vigilante.

This discussion has become inane.

That comment makes you the neighbourhood cop!

I'm still here